Korean Job Discussion Forums

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

Let me elaborate~

Currently I am considering additional courses to raise pay, and enhance my skill as an ESL teacher. Planning to return in March, but I am wary of the public school cap on NETs Rolling Eyes

and the double-standard buddy/boss hogwan style of business with NETs Rolling Eyes

My questions are: 1) who has been here for over 5 years and how do you support yourself & family? (if you have one)
2) what do you see yourself doing in the next 5 years? staying or moving on?
3) what is a good 10 year goal for living in Korea, with regards to professional development?

thanks

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

i can give you a general answer and i've only been here 3 weeks:

DON'T!

that's what most people are gonna say - for me, i'm on a 2 year world exploration plan - may stay in korea, may move to another part of asia

after that no one knows

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

hmm...

like it or not, working in Korea can help pay for your "world tour"

and I've been there over 3 weeks. This question wasn't for you.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

I'm in my second year and my goal if I should stay for 10 years would be to earn my MA in TESL.

My main goal for the 5 year mark is to pay off most of my student debt.

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

10 year plan...Financial independence/retirement.

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

A good ten year plan for Korea?

Not being here, is probably your best bet. Korea's great for 3-5 years, but the idea of staying any longer is so out of the question if you have any standards for quality of life. Let's not even get into the possibility of *shudder* raising a family here...

Bigfeet · Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Grrrrr.....

If I'm staying more than a few years I'm definitely looking into getting an advanced teaching degree. Consider it a career track if you're putting that much time into it. Don't forget that China is an up-and-coming country and pay-wise could be just as competitive as SK in a few years.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

[quote="ThingsComeAround"]1) who has been here for over 5 years and how do you support yourself & family? (if you have one)[quote]

No family. I teach.

[quote]2) what do you see yourself doing in the next 5 years? staying or moving on?[quote]

Working at the same place.

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

A million dollars.

With the right job, additional streams of income, and investments, it is entirely possible to go from broke to millionaire within a decade in Korea.

Not sure if I want to be here that long -- I'm entering year three -- but figure I'll make it to five at least.

As I am hooked on the idea of private education an have no plans to ever return to the public school board in Canada, I have decided that for me a higher degree isn't worth the investment. But I do want to develop professionally by getting more material published, and in this time I also hope to have fleshed out a couple of other ideas from secondary and tertiary streams of income related to the education field.

Eventually I'll hopefully be able to bring some of this work overseas and carry on from there. I foresee that my career will always be tied to Korea in some way.

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

I have no goals nor plans and never will.

creeper1 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007

fruitcake · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Location: shinchon

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:56 am Post subject:

If you are pretty sure you'll be teaching ESL for the next five years then do yourself a favour and get a CELTA.

I did the month-long bootcamp after two years in Korea and it has fueled me into my seventh year!

You learn very practical skills of classroom management, time management, lesson planning and teaching English to non-English speakers entirely in the target (English) language.

You will not meet a single person who took the CELTA who regretted it. It is worth it. The fact that public schools pay a bit more in Korea if you get it or its equivalent is beside the point. It's worth it in and of itself.

Do it.

You won't regret it.

poet13 · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:48 am Post subject:

I've been teaching HERE for almost 4 years. In 18 months. Move home to the Philippines. Buy farm (2 weeks from now). Someone else can work it. Get my MA in Rural development. My wife will finish her degree in education. Maybe work a year or two together somewhere else. Then back to the PI to do a PhD in Rural Development. After, maybe work a little bit to practice said PhD. Then be a full-time farmer.